In an unprecedented trend in V.League 1, away teams won five out of seven matches during the 16th round of Night Wolf V.League 1 2023/24, truly delighting away fans.
The highlight of Round 16 was the intense encounters between Hanoi Police FC and Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, and The Cong Viettel hosting LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai. These matches drew significant attention due to the tactical prowess and standings of the teams involved.
The match between Hanoi Police FC and Thep Xanh Nam Dinh was highly anticipated, not just because it featured the current league leaders against the reigning champions but also because of its implications for the title race. Both clubs were positioned first and second respectively before Round 16, and a win for either side could significantly affect their championship aspirations.
Despite playing away from home, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh turned the Hang Day Stadium into a fortress reminiscent of their home ground, Thiên Trường, backed by a sea of their fervent supporters. The atmosphere was so electrifying that it led to traffic congestion around the stadium—an occurrence that Hang Day hadn’t seen in a long time.
On the field, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh showed resilience. Even after conceding an early goal from a stunning free-kick by Quang Hai of Hanoi Police FC, they quickly regrouped. Thep Xanh Nam Dinh equalized through a fortuitous error by goalkeeper Filip Nguyen and then took the lead before halftime. Although Hanoi Police FC managed to equalize early in the second half, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh secured a penalty, which Hendrio converted to clinch a 3-2 victory.
This win not only solidified Thep Xanh Nam Dinh’s lead by seven points over Hanoi Police FC but also relegated the defending champions to third place as Becamex Binh Duong climbed to second after their 3-1 home victory over Khanh Hoa.
Next in Round 17, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh will face Becamex Binh Duong at home in Thiên Trường, which is poised to be another pivotal match in the V.League 1 title race.
In another match, The Cong Viettel drew with LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai in a game that marked the first attendance of the newly appointed Vietnam national team coach, Kim Sang Sik. This match was not crucial for the title chase but was significant for being Coach Kim’s first direct observation of the league’s play since his appointment.
As the V.League 1 continues to unfold, the involvement of strong tactical leadership and the enthusiastic support of the fans are setting the stage for an exciting climax to the season.
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